San Diego Museum Of Art’s Wild Party To Close Out Summer

Now that most of us are out of the education system (sorry, grad student readers), learning something new is actually kind of… fun. Are we right!?

Especially when it has to do with an exotic and epic party going down in San Diego!

So, allow us to impart some knowledge on San Diego Museum of Art’s (SDMA) upcoming bash, the Culture & Cocktails: South Pacific party!

Culture & Cocktails celebrates the Oceania region including Australasia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and the Melanesia region that houses the country Papua New Guinea, known for housing some of the world’s most diverse nations, unique wildlife, dense jungles and coastal swamps, and rich and varied art forms.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYJQ_EeB-Ph/?taken-by=sandiegomuseumofart

And on Thursday, September 21st, the SDMA is taking all of the good-life aspects of the tropics and packing them into one epic night to close out summer in San Diego!

Party Highlights

Enjoy tropical cocktails, live music, and performances highlighting different cultures of the South Pacific, savory eats and treats, art-making activities inspired by Papua New Guinea, and more:

  • Savor a coconut-pineapple Pink Horchata Chi Chi signature cocktail inspired by the classic 1950s tiki rum libation complete with a new twist – horchata vodka.
  • Enjoy performances highlighting the various dance styles from the Polynesian islands of Tahiti, Hawaii, and New Zealand by Motu Nehenehe Polynesian Dancers.

  • A common form of Melanesian jewelry, kapkap (circular shell discs), are valuable ornaments used for battles and acted as symbols of wealth and status during festivals. Find inspiration in The Art of Papua New Guinea and use shells to create your own kapkap accessory.

  • Part smoothie, part milkshake, blended to perfection and served in a pineapple. Pineapple Crush will be serving up two refreshing options available for purchase.
  • Feeling hungry? Sprinkles Cupcakes are giving sweet samplings their most popular flavors including Sprinkle, Lemon Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Red Velvet, and Banana, and Temaki Express Truck will have their signature bowls, chicken salads, acai bowls, and more available for purchase.
  • DJ Carlo is making his Culture & Cocktails debut with an extensive collection of tropical music, from vintage 1950’s tiki classics such as Martin Denny and Les Baxter, mixed with modern music.

  • Get your very own airbrush tattoo inspired by the pacific islands or a one-of-a-kind mini sculpture created by Recycled Palm Leaf artist William J Dorsett.
  • More to be announced!

Tickets

  • Presale e-tickets: $5 members / $25 nonmembers
  • Purchased at the door (day of): $10 members / $35 nonmembers
Share This Event
Event Details
The Latest
Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival
Discover the magic of the Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival San Diego 2026 with six unique performances and a talented team.
La Valencia Hotel celebrating 100 years in La Jolla
La Valencia Hotel – La Jolla’s beloved Pink Lady – is turning 100 in 2026, and the centennial celebration is already underway. A full calendar...
Weaving Nets installation arts district liberty station
Arts District Liberty Station is bringing one of the most visually striking public art moments of the year to the North Promenade. Tejiendo Redes –...
Stella Jean's Ice Cream x Summer Fridays Collaboration
Stella Jean’s Ice Cream is teaming up with Summer Fridays for a three-day collaboration that turns the beauty brand’s new Sweet Summer Minis collection into...
Families Enjoying Shark Summer at Birch Aquarium
Shark Summer is back at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, running from early July through early August. The month-long program dives into the...
Moonshine Flats Cassie B
Check out the exciting moonshine flats moonshine beach summer lineup featuring diverse live music and entertainment throughout the season.
Event Details
Upcoming Events
Bird's Eye View of Mission Bayfest
October 16, 2026
3:00 pm
  • Mariners Point
Mission Bayfest is heading back to the waterfront this fall, bringing three days of reggae, rock, and SoCal vibes to Mariner’s Point Park along the...
Tori Amos San Diego
August 26, 2026
7:30 pm
  • San Diego Civic Theatre
There are artists who put on a show, and then there’s Tori Amos – a force of nature who turns every performance into something genuinely...
RESET Beach Wellness Event
August 2, 2026
8:00 am
  • Mission Beach Park
SSBD and Almost Nakey are joining forces for RESET, a brand-new beachside event happening at Fit Social Club. It’s a full day of movement, recovery,...
Taste of Eastlake
July 24, 2026
6:00 pm
If you’re looking for a summer night out that means something, this one’s worth circling. The EastLake Educational Foundation is hosting its annual Taste of...
Cinbarella Il-Tabarrosite
July 19, 2026
3:00 pm
  • California Center for the Arts
If you’ve never seen an opera and a ballet tell the same story back to back – in the same afternoon – this is your...
Event Search: